Thomas La Vern Ertzman

My Son, Tom by his mother, Patricia Ertzman Underdown
Let me tell you about Thomas La Vern Ertzman. First, his name. Where did he ever get that La Vern part in his name? No, it wasn't a joke his parents were playing on him, but to pass on family names of both grandfathers. His older brother got William from his grandfather and Frederick from his dad, so Thomas got La Vern from his Mother's dad, Clair La Vern Hiller. It was either La Vern or Clair so Thomas got the La Vern part. We always told him to use just the L and call himself Thomas L. Ertzman.
School was always a challenge for Tom because his dyslexia made reading very difficult and spelling correctly impossible. In spite of this he finished both a BS and MBA degree online while working full time for AT&T.
When Tom's father died, he was just 14 and wanted to learn to dance like his dad so, Tom and mom began ballroom dance lessons. Tom took to dancing like a duck to water. He loved it. Patty asked him what did he like best about Ballroom Dancing? His reply, "I don't have to read it or write it down." He almost always earned first place awards in the competitions he entered.
Tom was also in Boy Scouts like his brother and dad had been and completed the Eagle Scout level. He was determined to finish it on his own after his dad passed away.
During these young teen years, Tom met his wife, Akshara. A true love and caring developed between them. Akshara would help Tom with schoolwork. They would get through it together. They always have faced all of life's challenges together.
Tom was full of fun. He liked to make other people happy. He brought joy to everyone he knew, especially his family. As soon as he was home from work, his children were all over him, climbing him like monkey bars. He was on the floor playing games with all of them. Never too busy or tired to play with them, or hear about their day at school. He loved taking them to school and always waited on the playground until the bell rang and the teacher picked up the class, just to be sure they were ok. Akshara often said he was like one more kid, a very big one. He could see the funny side of the things that happen day to day and turn his child's tear or fear into a laugh.
He was completely devoted to his family and their welfare, which is why he tried to learn to climb the AT&T telephone poles, a skill that has now been added as a requirement to keep his job. In spite of his great fear of heights, he did climb the over two story pole three days in a row, then collapsed and was gone. He did it because of the love he had for his family and desire to provide for them.
Tom would want all of you to remember his funny and happy moments. Think of him climbing that pole all the way to heaven and dancing through the clouds.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275